Tag Archives: Jaylon Brown

DeWayne Russell was this week’s top vote-getter, punching his ticket to the Final Four of the Player of the Year Fan Vote in the process.

CALGARY, Alta. — A pair of Final Fours have been cut down to just two, while another has just been formed.

There may only be one game left in the 2016-17 college basketball season, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of reasons to come out and support your favourite players from across the country.

The College Court Report Fan Voted awards are winding down themselves, but not before crowning winners of their own.

After another week of voting, the Player of the Year field has now been trimmed to just four players. Early on in the bracket-style tournament, front-runners were identified from each regional. This past week, players were looking to win their respective regional finals and advance to the Final Four.

Across the three voting platforms, a record 29,108 votes were cast for the eight student-athletes still alive in the battle for the title of Player of the Year.

Bench production decided the contest. Illinois State outscored Evansville 30-8 in the battle of subs.

“Credit to Evansville. I thought they played unbelievably hard,” said Illinois State head coach Dan Muller. “They competed (and) had to keep fighting back. (They) had to make some big plays down the stretch.”

“It was the way we wanted to finish it,” said Evansville’s Jaylon Brown. “I wouldn’t want to have it any other way with these five seniors and the guys on this team. I’m just thankful to play with these guys.”

Both teams played sloppy initially. The two combined for 19 points in the first seven minutes.

Howard ignited the Purple Aces’ offense, scoring six consecutive points. Brown and fellow senior Christian Benzon took the baton; both made jumpers to cap a 10-0 run and supply an 18-9 lead.

“I just came out aggressive,” said Howard. “I just took my time in there and did the moves I wanted to.”

Moments later freshman Dru Smith, who was the star on Tuesday at Wichita State, sank a jumper to supply a game-high 11-point advantage. Momentum was fully seized by Evansville.

But it soon shifted.

Turnovers withered the Purple Aces’ mighty lead and spurred a 12-2 Indiana State growth.

“That’s kind of been our Achilles heel: We just can’t sustain good effort and good concentration,” said Simmons. “That will be our challenge as we prepare to go to St. Louis.”

A media timeout stopped a complete deterioration as a pair of Brown free throws sent Evansville to halftime up 30-25.

Although Brown quickly rectified the situation with five of his game-high 24 points, Evansville was never able to pull away from Indiana State.

The largest lead the Purple Aces could recover was seven with 4:46 remaining. Though, Evansville would hold just a three-point edge with under a minute in regulation.

The Sycamores found a wide-open Jordan Barnes in the corner for a game-tying attempt. His shot was short, but he drew the foul as the clock held 33 seconds.

Barnes, stepping to the charity stripe with three high-pressure free throws, had never been in such a situation during his freshman season. Nevertheless, he swished all three tries to create a new game.

On the ensuing possession, Evansville looked to none other than Brown. Brown caught the ball at the top of the key, drove left towards the basket, and lofted a floater.

The senior fell to the ground as the ball hit the back rim and did the same.

But, he was fouled.

The veteran stepped to the line and made both of his attempts.

“It just kind of worked out. Senior Day and JB being a senior,” said Simmons. “He has worked as hard and proved and built his game as much as any player that we have had here.

“He not only does a great job getting to the free throw line, he does a great job making free throws.”

With 2.2 seconds, the best attempt Indiana State mustered was a long three-pointer by Brenton Scott. His attempt was brutally off the mark.

Avenging last season’s defeat, Jaylon Brown, David Howard, and Christian Benzon won their final game in Evansville, Indiana.

The Sycamores, as a whole, struggled severely. They shot 36.1 percent for the game and no perimeter player shot over 50 percent.

Photo courtesy of Mike Lawrence/Courier-Press.
“I thought it was huge,” Simmons said of Hainna’s play. “He’s emotional and he plays extremely hard. He battled for loose balls. He got to the free-throw line.”

After two games decided by three total points, 11-19 (5-13) Indiana State and 6-12 (15-16) Evansville have their grudge-match set for Thursday in the opening game of Arch Madness. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

“They’re a tough team. They’re well coached. They have guys that know how to play,” Simmons said. “We need to improve. We will have to play better than we did today to have a chance.”

The Missouri Valley Conference Tournament begins on Thursday evening with a pair of first-round matchups. College Court Report will have full coverage live from the Scottrade Center.

One day after being ranked in the Coaches’ Poll for a fifth consecutive season, the Wichita State Shockers extended their winning streak to 11 games defeating Evansville, 109-83. Shaq Morris’ 18 points led six Shockers who scored in double-figures.

“Obviously it’s a big night,” said Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall. “I don’t know if we have ever scored 109 against a defense that good. I don’t know if we have scored 109 period.”

Evansville led for 69 seconds. The Purple Aces had leads at 4-2 and 7-5 during the opening three minutes.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — From Missouri State to Wichita State, the Illinois State Redbirds have passed every test Missouri Valley Conference play has thrown at them.

But, there are no “gimmes” in “The Valley.”

Thanks to a dominant second-half from senior Deontae Hawkins, Illinois State, without MiKyle McIntosh, subdued Evansville, 69-59. The win flew the Redbirds to 10-0 in conference play, their best MVC start in school history.